SRES® Blog

Elder law attorneys cover a wide variety of legal areas, potentially including guardianship, long-term care planning, knowledge of government benefit programs, powers of attorney, estate planning, advance medical directives, elder abuse issues, tax law, retirement and pensions, asset protection, trust planning, and contract law. The American Bar Association has approved the National Elder Law Foundation as the only certifying organization for Elder Law Attorneys in the U.S. At this time, there are just over 500 Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) nationwide. Other attorneys also cover

Life planning, like so many other things, is often harder to begin than to finish. Society shies away from discussing death and its impact on others. As a result, many things are often left undone until it's too late. In some cases, this just makes it harder for the person tasked with finding and pulling together all the necessary information. In today’s digital age, this can mean assets are lost forever. Step 1. Start the Conversation You can't finish what you never start. To get organized and select an approach that feels comfortable, review the downloadable guides and workbooks offered by

You’re thinking about selling your home. Maybe you’re retiring, downsizing, or a major life event has made you consider a move. A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) has unique training and experience in helping home buyers and sellers in your situation. Why ask a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® to assist you? An SRES® understands that the decision to sell can be difficult. Selling a home can be an emotional time, potentially involving other life decisions. An SRES® understands the issues facing older adults. By taking a no-pressure approach, they can help you navigate your choices and may

The SECURE Act (The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019,) a law aimed at improving people’s retirement security, was signed into law at the end of 2019 and has tax implications for those inheriting money from IRAs and 401k accounts. Before, those inheriting such funds could take distributions over their lifetime. But that timeframe has now been reduced to 10 years, meaning that if you’re inheriting an IRA or a 401(k) from someone who passed away on or after January 1, 2020, you’ll need to withdraw those assets within 10 years. They’re taxed as ordinary income and

So, you’ve decided to move into a new community. You’ve packed the essentials and said hello to your new sanctuary. Once all the hustle and bustle of moving is over, what’s next? An adventure is what’s next. Now is the time to explore your new habitat and find the cool opportunities that your living space has to offer. This is the next and best chapter of your life. Types of Communities and Amenities There are numerous communities that are geared towards people of the same age and interests. Active retirement communities (https://www.55places.com) offer various activities and amenities to its

When interviewing potential assisted living facilities, it’s a good idea to have a standard list of questions to ask each one so you can make relevant comparisons. This may include: What levels of care does this facility offer? What abilities and degrees of self-sufficiency are required of residents? What happens when these abilities change? Do you conduct an initial patient health assessment before admission? How often are assessments repeated? Are they written and available for the family’s review? What is your staff-to-resident ratio during the day? At night? Is a nurse on-site around-the

1. Start with the easy stuff. Eliminate anything that’s broken, damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-the-way spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Progress in these "easier" parts of your home will help you build momentum and tackle the harder-to-decide areas. 2. Ask yourself, "If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run out and replace it?" If you wouldn't miss it or need to replace it, it's probably not worth keeping. 3. Don't be a storage unit for others. If friends or relatives have left things for you to store, it's time to ask them to pick up their possessions—or

When the Coronavirus news started spreading, normal people took steps to protect themselves and their families. Scammers spotted an opportunity. They’ve already capitalized on people’s fears with fake ads, phishing emails, and promises of miracle cures. So in addition to guarding your health, you also have to protect your computer and your wallet. Beware of links Don’t click on links from information sources you don’t know. Even if someone says they’re sending important health updates, be suspicious. Someone may be trying to install malware on your computer to steal your personal information

Few cities are prepared to accommodate the needs of an aging population, says Age-Forward Cities for 2030, a report by the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, a Santa Monica, Calif., think tank. Many cities lack the housing, design, service, economic opportunity, transit and amenities to address seniors’ needs. That’s despite the fact that by 2030 those over the age of 60 will outnumber those under the age of 10, Creative senior programs So when you’re looking at a prospective retirement city, look closely at its long-term plan for an aging population and how well it addresses

If you’re interested in selling your home—or your parents’ home—you probably already know that it’s essential to do everything you can to make the house appealing to buyers. Decluttering, cleaning, and staging are all excellent ways to help a house shine and receive top dollar. If, however, you’re planning to sell a home that has been occupied by smokers, you face a unique set of challenges. A Canadian study of real estate professionals found that cigarette smoke odors can reduce a home’s resale value by up to 29 percent. Further, more than a quarter of buyers won’t even consider buying a home